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The Square
2017 151 min Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, United States of America R 18+
★7.5
Drama
Director: Ruben Östlund
Trailers
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Description
A prestigious Stockholm museum's chief art curator finds himself in times of both professional and personal crisis as he attempts to set up a controversial new exhibit.
US Gross:
$1.5M
Worldwide:
$9.49M
Starring
Claes Bang
Actor
Elisabeth Moss
Actor
Dominic West
Actor
Awards
European Film Awards 2017
— Best Actor
European Film Awards 2017
— Best Production Design
European Film Awards 2017
— Best Director
European Film Awards 2017
— Best Comedy
Academy Awards 2018
— Best International Feature Film
Cannes Film Festival 2017
— Palme d'Or
Saturn Awards 2018
— Best International Feature Film
César Awards 2018
— Best International Feature Film
Cannes Film Festival 2017
— Vulcain Prize
Golden Globe 2018
— Best International Feature Film
Goya Awards 2018
— Best European Film
European Film Awards 2017
— Best Picture
European Film Awards 2017
— Best Screenplay
Key opinion
The Square is widely recognized as a sharp, provocative satire of modern European society, the art world, and the hypocrisy of performative altruism. While many critics applaud its bold conceptual ambitions, audiences are sharply divided by its indulgent length and intentionally slow, contemplative pacing.
| Acting | Terry Notary’s visceral performance as the gallery gorilla serves as a powerful, unsettling centerpiece of the film. | |
| Theme | The film functions as a biting, sophisticated critique of the pretentiousness and moral vacuity inherent in contemporary art institutions. | |
| Acting | Claes Bang delivers a compelling portrayal of a wealthy curator whose outward commitment to tolerance masks a deep-seated, hypocritical arrogance. | |
| Pacing | The 150-minute runtime and slow, deliberate pacing reward viewers who appreciate existential subtext, but leave others feeling bored and exhausted. | |
| Humor | The film's blend of social thriller and dry, intellectual humor creates a sense of discomfort that some find intellectually stimulating while others find alienating. |